17 December 2009
Patients in NHS hospitals across the region are benefitting after the successful completion of an £8.4m programme to further improve privacy and dignity, including the provision of same-sex accommodation.
Three of the region’s organisations have been chosen as examples of best practice in a recently published Department of Health report called ‘Delivering same-sex accommodation – the story so far’.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s ward hostess meet and greet service, which took place on 12 wards, helps patients understand further what same-sex accommodation means when they’re on the ward.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is reassuring patients’ about same-sex accommodation by making several wards completely same-sex. The ward staff have found that patients are now more relaxed and that the change has meant that wards can be designed in ways that suit men and women separately.
NHS East Midlands, the strategic health authority, also featured in the report. Its recently completed regional campaign aimed at patients, visitors and public was chosen as an example of how to explain the importance the NHS places on providing same-sex accommodation to patients. The campaign was in response to public polling which revealed 75% of East Midlands residents believe that it is important for the NHS to provide same-sex accommodation.
The campaign, pilot schemes and changes to wards have been supported by the Government’s £100m Privacy and Dignity fund. Hospitals in the East Midlands have shared in the £8.4 million funding and have delivered 48 schemes across 14 NHS organisations including acute trusts, foundation trusts and mental health trusts.
Improvements included:
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297 bathrooms/toilet refurbishments/upgrades
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5,079 new signs to highlight same-sex accommodation areas
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2,149 new curtains to ensure privacy for patients
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Around seven extra staff members and education and training programmes to give guidance and support on continuing to focus on patients' privacy and dignity.
Professor Dame Catherine Elcoat DBE, Director of Patient Care for NHS East Midlands said: “In the NHS in the East Midlands we are committed to delivering same sex accommodation for all of our patients. The improvement schemes that have been undertaken are varied and span from physical improvements through to new and innovative ways of working. All of the schemes contribute to ensuring that patients have the privacy and dignity they deserve whilst in our region’s hospitals.”
For further information on same-sex accommodation visit http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/health-campaigns/same-sex-accommodation/
